The regulations serve as amendments to the Disaster Management Act (DMA) of 2002. In accordance with section 27(1) of the 2002 Act, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, declared a national state of disaster on 15 March 2020. This, Ramaphosa counselled, would enable “an integrated and coordinated disaster management mechanism that will focus on preventing and reducing the outbreak of this virus”.

New amendments

On 25 March 2020, Dlamini-Zuma amended these regulations under section 27(2) of the DMA. These amendments clarify previous regulations and offer more certainty leading up to South Africa’s nationwide lockdown.

In accordance with these amended regulations; under lockdown:

Individuals’ movements will be restricted between 23:59 Thursday, 26 March and 23:59 Thursday, 16 April.

People are to remain in their homes unless: performing or obtaining an essential good or service; collecting social grants; or seeking emergency, life-saving or chronic medical attention.

Movement between provinces and between metro and district areas is disallowed.

Gatherings (understood as crowds, assemblies and processions of people on public roads and in buildings “wholly or partly in the open air”) are prohibited. Funerals are exempted from these proscriptions but are limited to 50 people. Night vigils associated with funerals remain banned, however.

Only essential goods can be sold. What is regulated as “essential” can be amended by the Cabinet.

Public transport is prohibited except: bus, taxi, e-hailing and private vehicles transporting those providing or acquiring essential goods and services; seeking medical attention; taking part in funeral services; and those collecting grant payments. These vehicles can only carry 50% of their licensed capacity, while private cars are permitted 60% of their licensed capacity.